Multiple Open-Ended Question Type
Ask richer questions. Get deeper answers.
We’ve just launched the brand new Multiple Open-Ended question type on Pollfish - giving you more power to collect unstructured insights in a structured way.
Think of it as a matrix-style question, but instead of asking for ratings or numbers, you’re giving respondents the space to write out their thoughts. This makes it perfect for branding questions, concept feedback, and anything that benefits from qualitative input - all while keeping responses neatly organized.
What is a Multiple Open-Ended question?
It’s a flexible matrix question where each cell is an open text field, not a number or scale. You set a main question, define statements (rows), and optionally scale points (columns) - and your respondents can type a response for each cell.
Why use it?
Let’s say you're a brand marketer and want to ask:
“What are your favorite cereal brands?”
Rather than just one long open-end field, you can break it down into 3 or more shorter fields. Or go deeper:
“Where do you like to shop?”
For Shoes: (3x open ends)
For clothing: (3x open ends)
etc
It’s structured and open. So you get specific feedback that’s easier to compare, without losing the nuance of free-text responses.
Key Features
Scale point labels are optional – Use them if you want column headers, skip them if not.
Statement labels required only when there’s more than one – Keep it clean and simple when needed.
Input field sizes – Choose from Small, Medium, or Large to match your question intent.
Orientation control – Display fields vertically or horizontally depending on layout preference.
Character limits – Set a min/max (2–500 characters) for each input field independently.
Matrix logic compatibility – Use carry forward, batch input, and answer shuffling just like with other matrix types.
When to use Multiple Open-Ends
We had clients ask us to develop this feature for use cases such as...
Brand recall: “What brands come to mind for each of these categories?”
Product feedback: “Tell us what you liked or disliked about each feature.”
Shopping habits: “List your go-to stores for each item below.”
Creative testing: “How would you describe each concept in one sentence?”
Ready to try it?
You’ll find Multiple Open-Ended questions under the question types button when you add a question to your next survey. Customize it to match your research needs and start gathering richer, more insightful feedback today.
Got questions? Drop us a line on the live chat or explore more how-tos at Pollfish School.
Conversational AI: How to Hold Real Conversations With Real Insights, at Scale
Surveys don’t have to feel like, well…surveys.
With Conversational AI, we’re bringing a whole new level of engagement to Pollfish. This powerful new question type allows you to have real-time, one-on-one conversations with respondents, powered by AI and delivered at scale.
It’s more than just a new format. It’s a smarter way to uncover the why behind consumer behavior.
What is Conversational AI?
Conversational AI is a survey question type that engages respondents in a dynamic, AI-led chat experience - just like chatting with a real person.
Unlike traditional open-ends or multiple choice questions, Conversational AI encourages richer, more thoughtful responses by replicating the feel of a real conversation. And because it’s backed by AI, it can happen in real-time with thousands of people at once.
Whether you want to go deep on a single topic or weave this format into your broader survey, Conversational AI fits seamlessly into your project. Use it as a standalone study, or mix and match with other Pollfish question types within your survey.
Why use Conversational AI?
This question type combines the best of qualitative and quantitative research in one experience. Here’s what makes it a game-changer:
✅ Real Conversations: Engage with the Pollfish Audiencel for natural, back-and-forth chats that surface tone, emotion, and nuance faster than traditional qual.
✅ Deeper, More Authentic Insights: Dynamic prompts help respondents open up, yielding more thoughtful responses.
✅ Fast, Actionable Summaries: No need to comb through raw text. We'll instantly synthesize key themes and takeaways into a clear, executive-ready summary.
✅ Flexible by Design: Use Conversational AI as part of a mixed-methods survey or as a focused deep-dive. DIY it, or get support from our expert research team.
✅ Cost-Effective: Get the depth of interviews without the heavy lifting. No scheduling, no transcription, no moderators required.
Great for Questions Like...
Whether you're testing early-stage creative or measuring emotional reactions, Conversational AI shines when tone and depth matter most.
Use it for:
Brand sentiment or perception
Post-experience feedback
Concept or creative testing
Exploring motivations, habits, or attitudes
Any question where “why” matters more than “what”
How It Works
- Create a Guide: Start by writing a short discussion guide or key goals for your question - Conversational AI uses this to lead the conversation.
- Launch the Survey: Pollfish connects your survey to your target audience, gather qualitative feedback from hundreds (or thousands) of respondents quickly and asynchronously.
- Get Smart Summaries: When the data’s in, we compile the key themes and insights so you can act fast. On a respondent level and at a project level. There's no manual analysis required.
Want step-by-step instructions in setting up a Conversational AI question? Check out our Conversational AI Help Guide →
Ready to Start a Conversation?
You’ll find Conversational AI in the questionnaire menu when building your next survey. Create a new project → Select your audience → Add question → Select Conversational AI
Need help getting started or want to brainstorm how to use it in your research? Our team’s standing by 24/7. Use the live chat to connect with our support team anytime. Our experts can assist you with your setup.
You can also book a session directly from the chat for a live demo or personalized guidance.
Build your first Conversational AI survey now →
